Dalai Lama seeks cooperation of exiles ahead of conclave

Dharamsala, Nov 14 (IANS) The Dalai Lama Friday sought the cooperation of all Tibetans to discuss the future of the Tibetan movement during a six-day special session of exiles at McLeodganj near here from Nov 17, an official statement from the spiritual leader’s office said.”Taking into account the inspiring courage being shown by people all over Tibet this year, the current world situation, and the present intransigent stance of the government of the People’s Republic of China, all the participants, as Tibetan citizens, should discuss… the best possible future course of action to advance the Tibetan cause,” the statement said.

“It should focus on the aspirations and views of Tibetan people. I appeal to everyone concerned to work together to contribute as best as they can,” it added.

The session has been called by the government-in-exile, which is based in north India, at the behest of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Great importance is being attached to the session as this is the third occasion after 1951 and 1959 that such a conclave of Tibetans will be held.

“This special meeting is being convened with the express purpose of providing a forum to understand the real opinions and views of the Tibetan people through free and frank discussions. It must be clear to all that this special meeting does not have any agenda for reaching a particular predetermined outcome,” the Dalai’s Lama’s statement said.

As the government-in-exile is prepared to hold the biggest conclave of exiles, China has asked India to honour its promise of not allowing any separatist activities from its soil against the Communist state.

Beijing accuses the Nobel laureate of being a trouble-making separatist. But the spiritual leader says he wants to negotiate true autonomy for the mountain region he fled in 1959, not outright independence.

In the wake of repeated failures to find a solution to the vexed Tibet issue, the 73-year-old Buddhist leader said this month that “talks with the Chinese leadership over allowing more autonomy for the Buddhist region in Tibet had so far failed”.

“Things are not going well… I have to accept failure… my trust with the Chinese leadership (is) now thinner, thinner, thinner,” the Tibetan leader said.

The Dalai Lama, along with many of his supporters, fled Tibet and took refuge in this Indian hill station in 1959. He has ever since been heading the Tibetan government-in-exile that is not recognised by any country.